Discardable dentifrice applicator



April 12, 1960 L. J. WOODROW DISCARDABLE DENTIFRICE APPLICATOR Filed Nov. 3, 1958 INVENTOR LOUIS J. WOODROW United States Patent DISCARDABLE DENTIFRICE APPLICATOR Louis J. Woodrow, Yonkers, N.Y. Application November 3, 1958, Serial No. 771,440

9 Claims. c1. 15-431 This invention relates to tooth cleaning devices and more particularly to an applicator having a dentifrice incorporated therewith and designed for single use after which it may be discarded. A dentifrice applicator according to the concept of this invention is particularly adapted for use in places where personal tooth cleaning equipment may not be readily available such as hotels, motels, etc., where it may be provided to a guest or traveler as an emergency toothbrush.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a tooth cleaning device which incorporates a dentifrice and an applicator therefor in a single structure which may be readily stored, and when used once may be discarded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discardable applicator which is composed of a container made of porous'paper or fabric material containing a dentifrice and having a paper handle by means of which the dentifrice may be applied to the teeth of the user.

A still further object is to provide an applicator for a dentifrice, the applicator being an expansible member composed of porous sheet material having a high wet strength.

A further object is to provide a discardable dentifrice applicator which may be maintained in a sanitary condition by means of a removable cover or sealing element until used.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which'the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In' the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the'device taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device with cover removed.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 44 of Fig. 3.

- Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device with cover removed.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another form of the device with cover partly removed.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in Figs. 1-5 a dentifrice applicator 10 including a flat rectangular blade-like member 12 which serves as a handle for the device. Secured by cement 15 to one end of the handle and extending therealong for about half its length is a .container in the form of a bag 14 formed of porous material. Disposed within the bag 'is a quantity of a dentifrice 16 in the form of a liquid, paste or powder. The container of the dentifrice has a central peripheral pleat 18 which permits expansion and contraction of the container during use.

The exposed porous surfaces of the container may be covered with a waterproof strip 19 having all or portions of its inner side covered with a tacky pressure sensitive substance 24 to assure adherence of the marginal portions 2022 and the tab portion 23 to the handle. The tab portion 23 has a loose end 26 to provide a means for pulling the strip 19 free of the container and handle.

The container 14 may be made of paper, in which case it should preferably be of reinforced papersheet stock, such as resin filled parchment paper. The container may also be made of fine mesh gauze or cheesecloth. If desired, waterproof plastic sheet material such as polyethylene may be used. This sheet material will be perforated with numerous fine holes to permit passage of the dentifrice therethrough when in use. Such a perforated sheet material will fulfill the requirement for a porous container for the dentifrice.

In use, the waterproof strip 19 will be removed. and the container will be dipped in water. The dentifrice will take up some water due to capillarity and the con tainer will expand. The pleat 18 will facilitate expan' sion of the container. The device can now be applied to the teeth. The expanded container provides a yielding body which conforms to the teeth surfaces. Asthe' con tainer is pressed against the teeth, the moistened dentifrice will fiow out through the openings in the porous body while the body is rubbed over the teeth to clean them.

The dentifrice will not be fully moistened by just one dip in water. This is desirable to prevent too rapid discharge of the dentifrice. will be required to provide the fluid vehicle required for carrying the dentifrice through the fine pores in the container wall.

If desired, the container may be made sufficiently large to provide enough dentifrice for more than one teeth cleaning. Upon completion of the first use, the device 'can be rinsed in water and dried and the tacky strip 19 can be replaced, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the device can be kept in a sanitary condition until reused at a future time.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown another form of the device in which handle 12 is formed with a rectangular base plate 28 to which the container 14 is attached. The handle may have a finger gripping element 30 extending upwardly therefrom. Cover strip 19 is provided with tacky portions 24 for securing the strip removably to the device. Handles 12 and 12 may be made of stiff cardboard, fiberboard, plastic or other inexpensive expendable material. The cover strips 19 and 19 may be made of plastic sheet material.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myselfv to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. A- dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when in a moistened condition, the pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, and handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, said bag being so large that repeated clipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a Patented Apr. 12, 196 0 Repeated immersions in water yielding substantially fiat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same. i

2. A dentifrice applicator, comprisinga porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when Wet, handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby; the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding substantially fiat surface to the teeth forcleaning the same.

.- 3. A dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing acover enclosing said container, said handle being a flat member having a portion exposed for grasping during use of the applicator, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator. may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a fiat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said handle having a fiat member having an outwardly extending portion exposed beyond said strip for grasping during use of the applicator, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into .water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding substantially fiat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same. I

5. A dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous containerin the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag ispressed While in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a fiat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said handle being a flat member having a portion exposed for grasping during use'of the applicator, said cover strip having portions covered with a tacky pressure sensitive material so that the strip can beremoved and replaced on the handle, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding assaoas substantially flat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same.

6. A dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansib] e yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said handle being a flat member having a portion exposed for grasping during use of the applicator, said cover strip having portions covered with a tacky pressure sensitive material so that the strip can be removed and replaced on the handle, said bag being formed of parchment paper having a high Wet strength, said bag being so large that repeated clipping of the bag into Water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding substantially fiat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same.

7. A dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said handle being a fiat member having a portion exposed for grasping during use of the applicator, said cover strip having portions covered with a tacky pressure sensitive material so that the strip can be removed and replaced on the handle, said bag being formed of cloth, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator maybe used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding substantially flat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same.

8; A dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said handle being a fiat member having a portion exposed for grasping during use of the applicator, said cover strip having portions covered with a tacky pressure sensitive material so that the strip can be removed and replaced on the handle, said bag being formed of plastic sheet material having numerous fine perforations therein forming said pores, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding substantially fiat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same.

9. A dentifrice applicator, comprising a porous container in the form of a porous bag, said bag having a peripheral pleat, a dentifrice filling said container and adapted to pass through the pores in the bag when the bag is pressed while in a moistened condition, the filled pleated bag providing an expansible yielding porous body when wet, handle means having a flat surface, said bag being secured to said surface, and a cover strip removably secured to said surface of the handle and providing a cover enclosing said container, said handle being formed of stiff cardboard material and said bag being formed of reinforced paper having a high wet strength, said bag being so large that repeated dipping of the bag into water is required to moisten the entire quantity of dentifrice therein, whereby the applicator may be used for repeated teeth cleaning before the dentifrice is fully discharged from the bag, said bag presenting a yielding substantially fiat surface to the teeth for cleaning the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Robinson Mar. 1, 1887 Le Coney Mar. 5, 1935 Turner June 21, 1938 De Botelho Jan. 13, 1942 Hobelrnann Apr. 29, 1947 Hermanson May 24, 1949 Nathan Aug. 8, 1950 Iskoe Oct. 31, 1950 Silver Apr. 27, 1954 

